Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller will have to wait until next week to resume practicing, but coach John Fox expressed optimism Friday that Fuller could be back on the practice field early in Week 13 with an eye on playing Dec. 4 against the 49ers.

Fuller is one of 14 Bears on injured reserve, working his way back after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in August. With the team yet to utilize its one-time allowance to designate a player on IR for return, Fuller's health and conditioning remain under close watch at Halas Hall.

There had been some hope Fuller might return to practice this week, but the third-year pro remained off to the side Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, working under the guidance of the strength and conditioning staff to improve his strength and mobility.

Fox described Fuller's Friday workout as "brisk" and said he had his best week since surgery.

Any outside hope the Bears had of receiver Kevin White returning this year from a broken leg has been put to bed. So the focus turns toward Fuller as the only realistic candidate to come off IR.

Fox wants to see Fuller back in a football setting, hopefully next week, to gauge his overall comfort.

"So much of it is just the actual practice," Fox said. "Some of it can be scout reps, but it's actually how he's in tune with what we're doing with our defenses. He's been away from it for some time. He's been in the meetings, but to actually do it is different."